“I don’t think so,” Cam replied, running a hand through his hair. “But someone in their circle is responsible. I just spoke to her father two nights ago, and I honestly don’t think he knows anything about this, but I’m telling you that someone is talking to them, and that someone knows I’m closing in. And that person is getting desperate.”
“And desperate people do foolish things,” Jackson growled.
“Yes, yes, they do,” Cam sighed. “Until this is solved, then, Grace doesn’t leave our sight. She won’t like that, but we can do it in a somewhat sneaky way.”
“We’re just going to have to figure out more creative ways to keep her company,” Michael said, and grinned at Cam. “I’ll babysit—no problem.”
“Very cute, Michael,” Cam said with a roll of his eyes. “But, yes, you’ll get some babysitting time.” He wasn’t worried in the least that his youngest brother might hone in on his girl.
While Sage chatted with Grace, Cam and his brothers came up with a solid plan. If Grace figured it out, they would all be toast, but as of right now she wouldn’t be alone for five minutes straight.
They just hoped she wouldn’t figure out what they were doing.
“I have a job to do, Cam!”
A week had passed since someone had left that note on Grace’s door, and she still wasn’t any closer to finding answers. Cam had leads, and she was just going to have to allow him to do what he did best, although it wasn’t easy for her to let go of the control she was so fond of having.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be at a very public party right now,” Cam told her, pacing the room in front of her.
“I’ve had to put up with your babysitting me all week, and, yes, I know that’s what your family has been doing. But now I’m done with it. I have a business to run, and in three days I’m throwing my client’s rehearsal dinner. You can either keep your mouth shut and come with me, or you can stand down,” Grace told him. “But make no mistake about it: I am going. Would you give up a case because someone had threatened you?”
Cam glared at her for several moments, but she wasn’t relenting on this one. He’d already insisted on being in the restaurant when she’d met with Kitty a few days earlier to finalize the plans for the party. And she was more than willing to compromise, because she knew he really did care about her safety.
She was not willing, however, to let him ruin her career. Planning events might not seem important to Cam, but she loved what she did, and it allowed her the freedom a nine-to-five job would never grant her.
“We still don’t know who left the note, Grace, and we don’t know how serious the person is about hurting you. I just traced some of the checks to a bank account yesterday. If the person is aware that we’re closing in on them, they might get desperate, might want to eliminate you as a witness,” he said, his voice calm as if trying to reason with her. That only irritated her more.
“I am cooperating fully with you, Cam. But I told you from the day I agreed to let you look into this case that I wasn’t going to let it change my life, that I wasn’t going to hide in some corner. You either accept that or don’t. I really couldn’t care less. I’ve compromised and I’m staying here at your place or at Sage’s place when I have to get away from here, but I’m sick of being coddled.”
“Is it really such a bad thing to have people care about you?”
Because he looked so confused, Grace felt a smidgen of sympathy for the man. Enough that she decided it was time they had a chat.
“Sit down, Cam.”
“I don’t know if I want to, not while you’re using that tone.” He continued pacing.
“You will either sit down and speak to me, or you can watch me pack my things up and go back to my house. I’m done with this.”
“What do you mean you’re done with this?” He stopped pacing, at least, and he turned, giving her his full attention.
“I’m done being overrun. I’m done with you and your brothers telling me exactly how to live my life. I’m done living in fear.”
Maybe it was the fact that she was so calm, or maybe it was the seriousness of her tone, but her words seemed to penetrate his thick skull. He finally moved toward her and sat down, although he kept a distance of several feet between them.
“I’m not trying to run your life,” he told her. “Nobody is.”
“Yes, Cam, you are. I don’t care if your intentions are honorable. The outcome is still the same.”
“What outcome? Having you stay alive?” he snapped.
“No. Having me die a little more inside.”
Cam was completely silent at her words. He sat there looking as if he wanted to reach out for her, but he was obviously unsure whether that would be a smart move.
“You’re going to have to explain that, Grace.”
“I told you most of my past, Cam, and about the relationships I’ve been in. Jimmy was the worst. I realize that now. Still I was stupid enough to then date Vince, who was just as bad, although he was smoother about his deceptions. Both of them took something from me, something I’ll never be able to get back. But when they took that, I swore I would never put myself in a situation like that again. I would never allow anyone to tell me how to live my life. I’m too good for that. And even though I care about you, the way you treat me chips away at that feeling until I’m not sure if I care more or despise you more.”